Mechanical Engineers vs Social and Community Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $24,080 more per year than Social and Community Service Managers professionals — that's 30.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Mechanical Engineers earns $161,240 compared to $129,820 for Social and Community Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
Social and Community Service Managers$50,020 – $129,820
$50,020$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Mechanical Engineers | Social and Community Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $68,740 | $50,020 | +$18,720 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,800 | $62,420 | +$19,380 |
| Median (50th) | $102,320 | $78,240 | +$24,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,290 | $100,600 | +$29,690 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,240 | $129,820 | +$31,420 |
| Mean (Average) | $110,080 | $86,100 | +$23,980 |
Employment Numbers
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Social and Community Service Managers
195,490
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Mechanical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $147,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,660 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $126,870 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $124,160 |
Best Cities for Social and Community Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $104,410 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,250 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $101,210 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $98,300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,750 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Mechanical Engineers or Social and Community Service Managers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,080 (30.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
What is the salary range for Social and Community Service Managers?
Social and Community Service Managers salaries range from $50,020 (10th percentile) to $129,820 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,240.
How many Mechanical Engineers and Social and Community Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions and 195,490 Social and Community Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Social and Community Service Managers to Mechanical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Mechanical Engineers has a median salary of $102,320 while Social and Community Service Managers earns $78,240. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS